Alternative Energy

A Minnesota farm is helping people power their homes and businesses with solar energy without having to put panels on their roof. Eichten’s Cheese Farm in Chisago County is about to become one of Minnesota’s biggest community solar gardens.

A new Minnesota law requiring investor-owned utilities to get more of their electricity from solar power by the year 2020 means farms like the one Doug and Jane Popp own near Royalton are likely to become a more common sight. The Popps’ grain bin is powered by a 10-kilowatt solar array, helping to reduce their electric bill.